Chapter 181

Chapter 181: The Burning of the Withered Wood

"Daoyuanshan’s direct disciple Chu Hao, ninth level of Gathering Qi. Who dares challenge me?"

Chu Hao stepped onto the Debate Platform, scanning the cloud ships above with fearless eyes.

There had been an amusing incident when he first joined the sect ten years earlier.

Born with dual affinity for fire and wood, Chu Hao had originally been marked as one of Wanhuamen’s Potential Cultivators.

But misfortune struck when the cloud ship transporting their group of youths broke down mid-journey.

By pure chance, a Daoyuanshan elder recruiting disciples happened upon them.

The Daoyuanshan elder seized the moment to trash-talk one sect while praising another, eventually coaxing the children onto his own cloud ship despite the Wanhuamen elder’s furious protests.

Thus Chu Hao accidentally became Daoyuanshan’s disciple.

Though renowned for wind and thunder arts, Daoyuanshan still taught other elemental inheritances.

There Chu Hao mastered the fire and wood Spiritual Communication Techniques.

His natural talent was undeniable, though starting the Path of Cultivation at thirteen put him behind – he might’ve reached Perfected Gathering Qi by now with earlier training.

While Daoyuanshan scored an excellent disciple through this twist of fate,

the arrangement robbed Chu Hao of learning under a master specialized in his elements.

Whoosh—

Moonlight cascaded as a white-robed female cultivator descended from a Four Sects of the Northwest cloud ship.

"Solitary Moon Mountain’s direct disciple Yu Tingzhi, ninth level. It’s good to see a friend."

As subordinate branch of Lanyue Sect, Solitary Moon Mountain had been dragged into this affair.

Two spectators immediately tensed at hearing this sect’s name.

Xiao Yize, previously relaxed while anticipating the match, noticed his junior brother’s brief aura fluctuation.

"Solitary Moon Mountain?"

The name reminded him of the hidden treasure incident from years past. He Shenglai had once mentioned this event being pivotal for Yang Family’s rise as prominent cultivators – though they’d paid dearly with two lives lost beneath Moonfall, including Yang Lingshu’s cousin.

The blood debt between Yang Family and Solitary Moon Mountain ran deep.

Xiao Yize stored this knowledge away, resolving to properly "acknowledge" any future encounters with the sect on his junior’s behalf.

Among the VIP seats, Lv Fangxuan’s hands clenched until knuckles whitened, breathing ragged.

A steady hand gripped his shoulder.

"Fangxuan. Breathe. Focus."

Yang Lingrui’s voice acted like cooling water. Lv Fangxuan’s gaze cleared as he regained composure.

"My thanks, Second Young Master."

"Yes, the time hasn’t come yet. We need to stay cautious and not give schemers any openings."

Young Lv Fangxuan couldn’t suppress his rising anger upon learning the visitor came from Solitary Moon Mountain – the very place responsible for his Elder’s death.

Yang Lingrui’s composure had been hardened through trials, particularly after witnessing Zi He and Li Qingwan watching Li Yuande’s final moments during the selection ceremony.

With measured calmness, he advised, "When weak, we must endure. Rest assured, I’ll ensure this matter gets resolved soon."

Gratitude flooded Lv Fangxuan’s eyes as he gave a firm nod.

As they spoke, three overseers declared the duel commenced.

The combatants exchanged brief probing attacks before realizing half-measures wouldn’t suffice. Both immediately activated their Spiritual Manipulation states.

Chu Hao’s body became sheathed in glowing charcoal, flames licking through the cracks with every movement. Yu Tingzhi’s manifestation resembled Wang Weiming’s moonlight ribbons from Mayfly Treasure Land, though hers were broader and longer, nearly encasing her entire form.

Red flames clashed with pale moonlight across the Debate Platform as both fighters’ power surged to Perfected Gathering Qi level. Shockwaves from their collision rippled the defensive formation protecting observation seats.

Yang Lingrui watched intently. Chu Hao topped the selection ceremony rankings and had outperformed all in the Divine Warrior Tower replica, even triggering the Enlightenment Stone’s phenomenon. This clash represented the pinnacle of late-stage cultivators in Zhuhu Dynasty.

"Such talent in fire and wood paths!" lamented a Wanhuamen elder, watching fiery patterns dance below. Daoyuanshan elders simply smiled – Chu Hao’s dominance over Wanhuamen’s disciples would only grow after Qiu Ran and Xiao Yize reached Condensing Essence stage.

The battle remained deadlocked. Though Chu Hao’s techniques held more raw power, Yu Tingzhi’s moonlight neutralized his flames through elemental resistance.

BOOM!

Following another explosive exchange, both fighters disengaged. Chu Hao’s eyes burned crimson as he conjured a flaming wooden shard. Yu Tingzhi responded with swift hand seals, a luminous full moon appearing behind her.

"Can’t burn through? Then BURN BRIGHTER!" Chu Hao roared, plunging the burning wood into his chest.

WHOOSH!

His body erupted into raging flames, power spiking toward eleventh-level Gathering Qi. Young disciples recoiled in fear while Wanhuamen elders twitched at this reckless self-immolation tactic – a clear inheritance from Elder Murei’s madness.

Daoyuanshan elders smiled triumphantly… until Yu Tingzhi’s moon released a ghostly white beam that pierced Chu Hao’s chest before he could react.